Hillary Clinton’s possible election next week to America’s highest office has raised a sticky question: What’s the best way to refer to the president’s male spouse?

There have only ever been male presidents in the United States with female spouses. One president, James Buchanan, remained a lifelong bachelor. Bill Clinton poses a special dilemma – not only he would be the first male presidential spouse, but also the first former president to return to the White House as a spouse. The former Arkansas governor was elected president in 1992 and again in 1996, serving eight years in office.

It is common to use the honorific “president” to anyone who has served in the post, even after they leave office. But if the prognosticators are correct, and Hillary Clinton wins the presidency, then Bill Clinton can no longer be referred to as President Clinton after his wife’s inauguration in January without creating massive confusion.

Lisa Grotts, a certified etiquette expert, said that the dilemma of how to address a male spouse has been dealt with at the state level, which may, or may not, provide a road map.

“In the US, we have six female governors, and their husbands unofficially go by First Gentleman. But there are no rules for presidential spouses,” she said. “Once a president, always a president and that will always be his title for life,” she said.

Once a president, always a president and that will always be his title for life

Lisa Grotts, a certified etiquette expert

Allida Black, an expert on first ladies with the White House Historical Association, said that there is no question that, in terms of protocol at least, Bill Clinton’s “title will stay the same” when the first couple are presented at formal events – at a state dinner, for example.

“It will be President Clinton and former president Clinton,” Black said. “We went through the same thing with the Bush family,” she continued, referring to George H.W. Bush, the 41st US president, and his son, George W. Bush, the 43rd.

“We had President Bush and former president Bush, so when they were together, they were introduced that way, and the Clintons will be introduced the same way as well,” she said.

The stickier issue of day-to-day nomenclature will be handled by the in-house experts, Black said.

“The office of presidential protocol, working with the Clintons, will decide how to rename the Office of the first lady,” Black said. “If she was married to a person who had not been president, he would have been the First Gentleman, but because Bill Clinton had been president, he is former president, and not the First Gentleman.”

What is clear, is that Bill Clinton will not revert to the title of governor or former governor, which would be a breach of protocol. “It would be a lesser title than being former president,” Black said.

The first lady traditionally has her own staff and budget in the White House, and typically adopts causes that are more or less non-controversial.

Laura Bush took on the issues of reading and literacy; Michelle Obama tackled obesity, and good nutrition via her White House garden. She also gave greater visibility to support for veterans and their families. Another issue brewing in political circles is precisely what official role the First Gentleman – if that is what he’s called – will play.

Bill Clinton has promised to step away from the family’s Clinton Foundation charity if his wife is elected. He remains relatively fit and active, but has sworn off one of the endeavours that has occupied much of his time in retirement and proved quite lucrative – speech-making – which earned both Clintons millions of dollars once they were no longer in public office.

Officially, Bill Clinton will not be allowed to take paid government employment during his wife’s tenure.

“He cannot have an official paid position but he could be an unofficial advisor to her,” said Black. That would reverse the arrangement they reached during Bill Clinton’s presidency, when Hillary Clinton headed up his administration’s failed efforts to bring about comprehensive health care reform. Hillary Clinton earlier this year suggested that she might task her husband with spearheading her administration’s efforts to revitalise the economy – a nod to his vaunted presidential success in balancing the US budget while creating millions of jobs.